I assume it would involve mixing some clay(?) into the garbage prarie soil... then what? I am thinking about a mainly dirt surface, but I don't even know what else I should consider... crushed gravel?
We have some funds available to bring in some dirt and plant a few trees. The land contours beautifully, so there would be virtually no earth moving necessary.
Hire a landscape architect to do the job right the first time.
Or, rent a tractor/operator to push a path a few inches deep, and wider than the finished path, then you'll need to put weed barrier down over the length of the loop with no gaps, and a border on each side that helps the weed barrier work at the edges. Then fill with a media that will expand/contract in your region.
Or, do it half-ass, and clear a path with a tractor, then have it overgrown about a year later.
This is really interesting to think about.
I've run on many courses with gravel sections but would rather not have it. A dirt surface like one might find on farm lanes is better, especially if you need to include access road areas throughout the field.
I'm sure some people might disagree but I like a course made of several loops of the same trail. Maybe try to keep runners in view at all times. Great opportunity to involve spectators / the community for large events and host multiple races with different lengths (could have several different lengths for a wide range of ages).
The course should be difficult, not a place to PR. I like course with a some character and uniqueness. Maybe include a few surfaces if possible, dirt types, grass, mud.
Most importantly, and this is something I really wish you saw more in XC, throw in features that need to be dealt with. Water/mud pits/ditches, hay bales or logs or low fences, short and steep hills would be nice but if the land is already rolling then not as necessary. I've always liked the idea of the original type of steeplechase/cross country races in England. Through fields and farms.
Thinking about it, in the right location, the opportunity to design a cross country course is really an opportunity to create a unique local attraction and involve the community in running.
Thanks guys :-) Would a landscape architect know anything about running surfaces?
thejeff wrote:
Thanks guys :-) Would a landscape architect know anything about running surfaces?
I think a landscape architect would know. I've run on some wood chip circuits that were nice. Consider wood chips. I dislike gravel because gravel would limit the use of spikes.
And be careful about any materials brought in - people have been know to rid themselves of hazardous soils, etc., this way.
Regardless of your spelling, curious as to how many square miles your land is and what part of the country?
Get a golf cart, and have some kids chase you around for 3.1 miles.
thejeff wrote:
I assume it would involve mixing some clay(?) into the garbage prarie soil... then what? I am thinking about a mainly dirt surface, but I don't even know what else I should consider... crushed gravel?
We have some funds available to bring in some dirt and plant a few trees. The land contours beautifully, so there would be virtually no earth moving necessary.
thejeff wrote:
Thanks guys :-) Would a landscape architect know anything about running surfaces?
There is a reason it's called Cross Country. It's not called "running on a modified natural surface."
Mark a course and run on the damned thing.
god made course wrote:
thejeff wrote:Thanks guys :-) Would a landscape architect know anything about running surfaces?
There is a reason it's called Cross Country. It's not called "running on a modified natural surface."
Mark a course and run on the damned thing.
We are in agreement. I an hoping to find a happy medium between keeping it natural and creating a course that kids will ask their coaches to make sure to sign up for.
sounds great. that would be a great service.
Build it and they will run....
Chipster wrote:
thejeff wrote:Thanks guys :-) Would a landscape architect know anything about running surfaces?
I think a landscape architect would know. I've run on some wood chip circuits that were nice. Consider wood chips. I dislike gravel because gravel would limit the use of spikes.
And be careful about any materials brought in - people have been know to rid themselves of hazardous soils, etc., this way.
Will a landscape architect be an expert in running surfaces? No. But, if you can give them examples in the form of locations, especially ones they can visit, then they can do the rest.
As for hauling in hazardous soil, this is what happens when work is done on the cheap that would not look good/work in a year or two.
Actual path media is heavily processed rock/soil/sand/whatever formulation to perform as a path surface, so it's just not possible to get bad stuff if you use conventional path media. Think about the paths in modern parks. It's the same idea. Lots of engineering in both the media and installation.
I'm not a landscape architect, but a good friend is. I've
Get some chalk, jog around for 20 minutes leaving a chalk trail, there's your "5k" course
Good drainage is the most important. If your trail can get water clogged it will require endless maintenance
Still need to know just how much acreage we're talking about. Enough for a 1 mile loop? 2 mile loop?
And what exactly is "prairie soil"? Is that like the typical dark loess soils of the Midwest?
Where I live the soils are mostly loess over clay, and clay is horrible when it gets wet. Skip the clay, and bring in some sand. Try out a few different mixes of sand with chipped wood and/or 5/8" gravel. Or try planting a tough grass along the course.
It's too bad you can't get good quality cinders anymore. Cinder surfaces are the best.
You should make multiple courses
One really hard course
One run to the barn, out and back
One fast course
One championship style course
Agree with the request for info about the size of the field. This could govern some or most of your other choices.
A square mile has 640 acres IIRC. How many acres are we talking about?
BTW I think this is a super idea and could be a great contribution to your local/regional running community.
If you truly want to do it right, I would talk to John Morton: https://www.mortontrails.com/
Perhaps more helpful is the info that an acre is about 43,000 sq ft. With just some quick back of the napkin calculations, I think 8 acres (if rectangular, 860x400' approx) could get a one mile loop xc course with roughly 12 turns and about 10-20 foot wide path. Drainage and outside major flood prone areas would probably be favorable. Feel free to correct me.
lease wrote:
Agree with the request for info about the size of the field. This could govern some or most of your other choices.
A square mile has 640 acres IIRC. How many acres are we talking about?
BTW I think this is a super idea and could be a great contribution to your local/regional running community.
lease wrote:
Agree with the request for info about the size of the field. This could govern some or most of your other choices.
A square mile has 640 acres IIRC. How many acres are we talking about?
BTW I think this is a super idea and could be a great contribution to your local/regional running community.
I currently have a mile and a half loop that we ran twice for our inaugural 5k. (With more winding, I COULD probably fit an entire single loop 5k, but I think it would be goofy.) It was simply smoothly cut grass surrounded by fescue. Looked great, actually. Harvey's bands turned it into a swamp the 2 days leading up to it, and the soil turned into a giant suction cup for shoes, lol.
Prairie soul is this crumbly stuff that gets big cracks when dry and turns into quicksand when wet. Great surface if you enjoy cracked foundations on your house.